License Commission

Monty Tech BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK (978) 829-1820 Aug 29 2025 11:05 am Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Monday, June 16, 2025 in person and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:02 PM. Commissioner Boscardin and Fossa were present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Ryan Keenan, Officer Michael Sevigny, City Clerk Joanna Bilotta, and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) 1. Regular Minutes of June 2, 2025 The regular meeting minutes of June 2, 2025 were approved by roll call vote 3/0. II. NEW APPLICATIONS Please note that the Commission may enter into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, sec. 21(a) (5) (Discussion of CORI results), if required during this portion of the agenda, and will return to regular session upon completion. Solicitor Application 1. Kelvin Martinez – SunRun 2. Christopher Nelson – SunGrow Energy 3. Samuel Hernandez – Core Iron Works Mr. Martinez was not preset at the meeting, and requested via email if he could move his application to the next meeting Application moved to July 7, 2025 meeting approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Mr. Nelson was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield advised he needs to wear Identification and the City of Fitchburg Solicitation hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, no Sundays or Holiday hours. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed with City Clerk Joanna Bilotta that a CORI was ran. Lieutenant Keenan informed Mr. Nelson that he is responsible to notify the police department of what areas of the city they will be working each day. Commissioner Sarefield also shared that he should notify the Police Department of the vehicles they will be using while soliciting. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 1 Mr. Hernandez was not present at the meeting. Application moved to the July 7, 2025 meeting approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Monday-Saturday Entertainment Permit Ama Baker, Civic Days Committee, Block Party, Boulder Drive, Thursday, July 3, 2025 for live amplified and acoustic music, DJ, and dancing, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for approximately 25,000 people. Ama Baker, Civic Days Committee, July 4th Parade, Boulder Drive, Friday, July 4, 2025 for live amplified and acoustic music, and dancing, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for approximately 5,000 people. Ms. Baker was not present at the meeting. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta spoke on her behalf. Ms. Bilotta explained both of these events are part of the civic days and would be the same set up as last year, except it is taking place on Boulder Drive instead of Main Street. Ms. Bilotta ensured the commission that Ms. Baker is aware that all entertainment must be shut down thirty minutes prior to closing. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Shara Osgood, Lowe Park Chalk Art Festival, 0 Elm Street, Saturday, September 13, 2025, for live amplified and acoustic music, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, for approximately 100 people. Ms. Osgood was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Osgood is aware that all entertainment must be shut down thirty minutes prior to closing. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Emily Beauvais Doss, Ronny’s Voice Memorial Classic, Green Street Park, 55 North Street, Saturday, June 28, 2025, for live amplified music, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for approximately 100 people. (Approved at 4/22/25 meeting, this is a change of location.) Ms. Doss was not present at the meeting, as this is previously approved permit, the only change being the location. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. James Bunnell, Parks and Recreation Department, Upper Common, for live acoustic & amplified music, annually, for approximately 50-100 people. James Bunnell, Parks and Recreation Department, Coggshall Park Stonehouse, for live acoustic & amplified music, dancing and DJ, annually, for approximately 50 people. James Bunnell, Parks and Recreation Department, City Hall Lawn, for movies, annually, for approximately 30-50 people. James Bunnell, Parks and Recreation Department, Riverfront Park, for live acoustic & amplified music, dancing and DJ, annually, for approximately 100-200 people. Mr. Bunnell was not present at the meeting. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta spoke on his behalf. Ms. Bilotta explained these are all renewals from the year prior, nothing is changing in the structure of these events. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 2 Sunday Entertainment Permit Ama Baker, Civic Days Committee, Duck Race, 0 Boulder Drive, Sunday, July 6, 2025 for live amplified and acoustic music, DJ, and dancing, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for approximately 500 people. Ms. Baker was not present at the meeting. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta spoke on her behalf. Ms. Bilotta explained both of these events are part of the civic days and would be the same set up as last year. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Nathalie Rivera Castro, 2025 URUFEST, Saima Park, 67 Scott Road, Sunday, August 24, 2025 for live amplified and acoustic music, DJ, and dancing, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, for approximately 500 people. Ms. Rivera Castro was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Rivera Castro is aware that all entertainment must be shut down thirty minutes prior to closing. Commissioner Sarefield inquired if there was going to be alcohol at this event. Ms. Rivera Castro stated if there is going to be, it would a caterer licensed business, but it is not confirmed as of yet. Commissioner Fossa questioned whether the caterer’s license was filed with the clerk’s office. Ms. Rivera Castro stated it was not sent in, but she will talk with the caterer on getting it filed with the City Clerk’s office. No concerns from Lt. Keenan, other than suggesting she request two officers for the event rather than one that she intended on applying for. Application approved pending the caterer license paperwork by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Sarah Gregory, LUK Inc., Green Street Park, 55 North Street, Sunday, August 24, 2025, for DJ, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for approximately 150 people. (Approved at 6/2/25 meeting, this is the rain date.) Ms. Gregory was not present at the meeting, as this is previously approved permit, the only change being that this is the rain date if needed. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. 2025 Annual Monday- Saturday Entertainment Permit 1. Derek Craig, Coff33 Corp, 326-344 Main Street (Tryst Nightclub). 2025 Annual Sunday Entertainment Permit 1. Derek Craig, Coff33 Corp, 326-344 Main Street (Tryst Nightclub). Mr. Craig was present at the meeting. He explained these are annual entertainment permits he is applying for. He plans on using this space for event including, birthdays, work events, etc. Special One Day All Alcoholic Beverages Derek Craig, Coff33 Corp, Music Release Show, 326-344 Main Street (Tryst Nightclub), Friday, June 27, July 11, July 18, and July 25, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM, for approximately 100 people. Derek Craig, Coff33 Corp, Music Release Show, 326-344 Main Street (Tryst Nightclub), Saturday, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM, for approximately 100 people. Derek Craig, Coff33 Corp, Music Release Show, 326-344 Main Street (Tryst Nightclub), Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 10:00 AM, for approximately 100 people. Page 3  Mr. Craig was present at the meeting. Mr. Craig explained these are music events that will be happening over the next month in the space where Tryst Nightclub is. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the applications and verified all servers have TIP certifications. With respect to the 12:00 AM ending, Commissioner Sarefield requested the end time be 11:00 PM as alcohol will have to be finished up thirty minutes prior to the end. Lt. Keenan had no concerns. Amended application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Change of Manager Application Tikendra Patel, Shikha LLC, 7 Westminster Street Mr. Patel and the previous manager, Ms. Seema Patel, were present at the meeting. Ms. Patel informed the Board that Mr. Patel would be assuming the role of manager at the establishment in her place. She noted that there would be no other changes to the operation of the establishment. Commissioner Sarefield inquired about Mr. Patel’s experience with the business. Mr. Patel stated that he has been employed at the establishment for the past five years, has worked behind the counter, and is familiar with daily operations and procedures. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed that Mr. Patel is TIPS certified. Additionally, Commissioner Sarefield verified with City Clerk Joanna Bilotta that a CORI check had been conducted on the applicant. No questions or concerns were raised by the other commissioner No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Transfer of Licensed Premises Ruhani LLC, from Pende Alpha Inc., DBA Zeda’s (Refer to a Public Hearing Monday July 7, 2025.) Mr. Patel was present in person, and his attorney, Mr. Peter Nicosia, attended via Zoom. Mr. Patel appeared before the Board to introduce himself in advance of the public hearing scheduled for the next meeting regarding the license transfer at Zeda’s Pizza. Mr. Nicosia provided a brief overview of the plans for the license transfer. Application referred to a public hearing Monday, July 7, 2025 approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. III. CORRESPONDENCE ABBC Caterer License Memo On file at the City Clerk’s Office. IV. NEW BUSINESS Page 4  NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 16, 2025 The meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 5